Bringing palliative care closer to communities

How an inspiring young cancer patient didn’t let chemotherapy get in the way of her exams

A young Hospice Africa Uganda cancer patient has beaten the odds by passing her final year school exams with flying colours whilst undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a painful leg cancer.

Dedicated student AR, (aged 17) was determined that her treatment would not prevent her from studying and sitting her exams at St. Maria Goretti Katende.

Months before her exams, AR received a diagnosis of osteosarcoma in her leg. “It almost broke me when I was given the news," explains AR’s mother, who said the impersonal and abrupt way the medical staff told of the diagnosis made matters worse.

On the day the doctors shared the upsetting cancer news with them, Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU) nurse R, was visiting patients in Mulago and she found the mother sobbing outside on a veranda and went to comfort her.

When the nurse got the story, AR, one of six children was enrolled in the HAU programme, and began receiving home visits from the care team while she was waiting to start her chemotherapy treatment.

The HAU team learned that AR was a dedicated and determined student, who was liturgy prefect in her class from 2022 to 2024. And it was clear that Lydia was not going to let her illness and treatment get in the way of her sitting her final school exams.

A month before the exams started, AR began chemotherapy, and her doctors advised her to pause her studies due to the physically draining effects of the treatment. But AR refused to give up. With immense determination, she continued studying.

When exam time came, AR’s school provided a special room for her to sit in her papers, and the examination board took into account her circumstances. The HAU team visited AR at school before the exams started, lifting her spirits by offering words of encouragement and support.

Her family was deeply moved by the care and dedication shown.

AR excelled in her exams and passed with distinction. Her overjoyed mother called Hospice Africa Uganda to thank the team for visiting AR at school. “She was rejuvenated to do her best, and it is thanks to your care and love that she succeeded."

AR continues her treatment she will remain focused on her studies and on achieving her dream of becoming a pilot or a cancer doctor.

“I’m very grateful for the support given to me. Hospice has been there for me. I’m especially grateful to Nurse R.”

Hospice Africa Uganda has a people-centered approach to cancer care, ensuring each patient receives individualised support with compassion and empathy. It is through generous donations that HAU continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families, offering Hope in the face of adversity.